We have seen a lot of 1920s inspired fashion on the high street
recently, and we think this is partly due to the release of the new Great
Gatsby film, with its amazing 1920s fashion. However, it was another era
entirely that really influenced fashion as we know it today - the iconic 1950s.

At the very beginning of the 50s, Christian Dior showed his
first couture collection - dubbed The New Look. This term was used at his
voluminous silhouettes and luxurious fabrics were such a contrast to what everyone
else was being shown in the fashion world. Fabric and clothes were still scarce
at this time due to the rationing of World War II, and so his wide full-flowing
skirts were seen as very decadent. His designs were ultra-feminine, and were
loved by ladies well into the 50s and beyond.

By contrast, the other influential designer at
the time was Pierre Balmain. As well as being a fashion designer, Balmain also
designed the costumes for 16 films, including 'And God Created Women,' - the
film that shot Brigitte Bardot up to sex kitten status. In this film,
Bardot shocked many by wearing a shirt dress during one of her scenes, and many
women flocked to recreate this look afterwards, as well as wearing tea dresses.

These contrasting designers just go to show what a style
circus the 1950s were, with lots of different captivating styles floating
around. At the beginning of the era you had the wasp-waisted Dior New Look,
followed by the very popular floral
tea dress. Then, Audrey Hepburn brought a more Beatnik style into play with
her role in 'Funny Face' showing her wearing black tops and trousers - a real
departure for ladies at the time. However, she still preferred to wear dresses
in her private life and even gave her name to a certain style of dress which to
this day is known as the Audrey Hepburn
style dress. Jeans also became popular at the end of the 1950s with big
screen heroes such as James Dean, Elvis and Marlon Brando making them popular
amongst teens of the time.

The 1950s can be summed up by the fact that it was a time of
youthfulness and vibrancy - a reaction to the drab period that came previously
with the rationing and hardship of war. The outlook was more upbeat, people
were able to travel more easily, and design was celebrated in films and
fashion. This is probably why this decade is revisited so often.

So,
now comes the big question - how can we recreate the 1950s style today? Nothing
beats a vintage floral tea dress, or
why not try a wide circle skirt with a jacket that is nipped in at the waist.
Alternatively, you could try a pencil skirt with a jacket, and then nip your
waist in by wearing a belt. Alternatively, take a look at the vast range of the
1950s inspired dresses on our website.